By Paul Singer
The Associated Press

CLEVELAND - The man charged Monday in the slaying of a Roman Catholic priest who was shot to death and burned beyond recognition in a rectory fire had been told about a week ago he was being fired from the parish, church officials said Monday.

Daniel Montgomery, 37, had comforted parishioners on Saturday as the body of the Rev. William Gulas was removed from the charred rectory of St. Stanislaus Church. But Monday he was charged with aggravated murder and aggravated arson.

Father Gulas, 68, pastor of St. Stanislaus for nine years, was shot once in the chest Saturday before the fire was set, Cuyahoga County Coroner Elizabeth Balraj said. According to a preliminary investigation, he also had been struck on the top of his head.

Mr. Montgomery, a native of King of Prussia, Pa., was in his seventh year as an intern with the Franciscans, training to be a brother, or parish assistant, according to the Rev. Thomas Luczak, head of the Franciscan province based in Franklin, Wis.

But Father Luczak said Mr. Montgomery had been informed that his internship was finished.

Father Luczak would not specify why he was terminated, but said it was clear he was unsuited to serve as a brother.